Montana has around 100 named mountain ranges, which means we have an abundance of mountain hikes in the Treasure State. But hiking is not everyone’s cup of tea, and luckily, there are plenty of back roads and byways that show off our mountainous scenery. For example, the Big Snowy Mountains Backcountry Drive takes you along the eastern and southern base of the Big Snowy Mountains, almost entirely by a gravel road.
Google Maps
The Big Snowy Mountains are a mountain range that sits south of Lewistown in Fergus County.
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr The Big Snowies, as they’re called, contain some of the last intact wildlands in central Montana. Plus, they’re simply stunning to look at, even from a distance.
The Big Snowy Mountains Backcountry Drive begins in Lewistown, smack dab in the middle of Montana.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr From Lewistown, you’ll head south on Montana Highway 238, also known as East Fork Road.
While the first 10 miles of the drive is paved, you’ll promptly find yourself on an old dirt road.
Spend A Day Touring, LLC / Flickr You’ll be surrounded by plains and rural beauty with the Big Snowy Mountains in the background.
Soon after the pavement ends, the route reaches East Fork Dam and East Fork Reservoir, and the road name eventually changes to Red Hill Road.
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr It’s then you’ll begin to wander through a small valley while paralleling the East Fork Big Springs Creek. And since you’ll be driving by the eastern and southern base of the Big Snowy Mountains, the views will be spectacular the entire time.
The last 20 miles are the most scenic, running through grassland prairie with the mountains rising abruptly off the prairie.
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr The scenic drive officially ends at the junction with US Highway 191 in Judith Gap.
This drive is extremely remote, and you won’t see much traffic on the route. But if you can’t make it to Lewistown anytime soon, these Montana backroads are also perfect for a nice rural drive.
Google Maps
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr
The Big Snowies, as they’re called, contain some of the last intact wildlands in central Montana. Plus, they’re simply stunning to look at, even from a distance.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
From Lewistown, you’ll head south on Montana Highway 238, also known as East Fork Road.
Spend A Day Touring, LLC / Flickr
You’ll be surrounded by plains and rural beauty with the Big Snowy Mountains in the background.
It’s then you’ll begin to wander through a small valley while paralleling the East Fork Big Springs Creek. And since you’ll be driving by the eastern and southern base of the Big Snowy Mountains, the views will be spectacular the entire time.
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
The scenic drive officially ends at the junction with US Highway 191 in Judith Gap.
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Address: Lewistown, MT 59457, USAAddress: Judith Gap, MT 59453, USAAddress: Big Snowy Mountains, Montana, USA
